Xavi is reportedly eyeing the job of Ivory Coast head coach

The former FC Barcelona head coach is said to be interested in the Ivory Coast national team.

According to reports from the Ivorian insider Magate, Xavi Hernandez dreams of becoming manager of the Ivory Coast Elephants. The Spanish tactician is said to favour the Ivorian national team, which is why he reportedly did not apply to succeed Pape Thiaw in Senegal.

These revelations come as Emerse Faé’s tenure at the helm of the Ivorian national team’s coaching staff draws to a close. Although his contract is said to have been extended for a few months, the Ivorian manager could step down by the end of 2026.

For his part, Xavi had, a few weeks earlier, expressed his desire to manage a national team in Africa or elsewhere. The former FC Barcelona midfielder managed Al-Sadd SC in Qatar before returning to Catalonia to take charge of Barça’s first team in 2021.

However, he has been out of work since leaving his coaching post at Barcelona in 2024. However, he could make a fresh start in Ivory Coast.